Duhaney Pen finds ways to cope after four years
Published:Friday | February 26, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Livern Barrett, Gleaner Writer
Four years after his mother's gruesome death, Tarik Beckford has come up with a very simple strategy to help himself moved forward.
"Me just stop think 'bout it ... me leave that inna the past," said Beckford, who was just 13 years old when the only parent he has known was taken from him.
In fact, he has blocked it out so much that he has a hard time remembering the good times they shared.
"When me try fi put me mind to it, it kinda stressing ... is like it ago mad me," said the 17-year-old fourth-former at Seaforth High School in St Thomas.
What he remembers is that Terry-Ann Mohammed was a very kind and caring mother who did her best to give him whatever he wanted "as long as she could afford it".
Mohammed, her friend, Patrice George-McCool and four children were chopped to death in St Thomas four years ago today in a crime that shocked the nation.
The children killed included McCool's daughter Jihad George-McCool, seven; son Lloyd Marshall George-McCool, three; Jessie O'gilvie, nine; and their playmate, Sean Chin Jr, nine, all from Duhaney Pen in St Thomas.
They were allegedly killed by Micheal McLean, who reportedly had a common-law relationship with Mohammed. He is scheduled to stand trial in the Home Curcuit Court on July 7.
Emotions stirred
When
The Gleaner
visited the small coastal district of Duhaney Pen recently, other relatives talked about the crime, which stirred emotions at the time, ultimately causing the case to be moved to Kingston.
Sean Chin remembered his son as a very friendly child, adding that none of the children "deserved that".
"I don't know the reason (for the killings) but I know the kids don't know anything so they should not die like that. Is not like a car lick dem dung or something like dat," he said with his voice trailing off.
Tanisha George-McCool still thinks about her sister and "only brother". She said it was even harder at this time of the year when the community holds its annual memorial party.
"That's my whole family. That's my only brother," she said.
Beckford is now preparing for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations, which he will sit next year. He said things have been made a lot easier with counselling and help from teachers at his school.
"I just want to enjoy life and live it to the fullest," said Beckford, who wants to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.
'I just want to enjoy life and live it to the fullest,' said Beckford